Lions Fans React to Wildest Mock Draft Ever Published

The Detroit Lions are likely not drafting a tight end with the No. 6 pick.

The Detroit Lions have the potential to significantly upgrade their defense in free agency and in the upcoming NFL Draft. 

General manager Brad Holmes even acknowledged at his season-ending media session the defense was the unit that needed the most attention this offseason. 

Despite adding young talent to the defensive side of the football, the defense still ended up being ranked in the lower third of the NFL. 

"There’s a lot of different areas that we can go, especially with the resources that we’ll have available to us. Obviously, our defense was ranked 32nd. So, I mean, it’s pretty obvious that we’re going to have to utilize some resources to try and improve that defense," said Holmes. "I do believe that there’s some young guys on our defense right now that are only going to get better."

In a recent mock draft released by Ryan Roberts of Bleav, the Lions go in a completely different direction with their No. 6 overall pick. 

After Will Anderson is selected by the Chicago Bears, the Texans select quarterback Bryce Young. 

The next three picks are reasonable, as Jalen Carter is drafted by the Cardinals, C.J. Stroud is taken by the Colts and Myles Murphy is drafted by the Seahawks. 

Then, the mock draft takes a shocking twist with the Lions' No. 6 pick. 

Roberts surprisingly has the Lions drafting Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer with their first of two picks in the first round. 

More: Lions Mock Draft Roundup 2.0 

The reaction online was one of bewilderment, amazement, shock and awe that this could be Detroit's selection, given all the needs on defense the team has. 

Recall, the team has not had success drafting tight ends in the first round, as Eric Ebron struggled with drops and T.J. Hockenson did not develop fully as a blocker. 

Here is a sample of the online reaction to Roberts' recent mock draft. 

Oh lord

— Matt Dery (@DerySpeaks) January 19, 2023

Tell me you know nothing about the @lions TE without telling me you know nothing about the TEs… we good there… CB MLB NT S RB T G

— Matt Romain (@romaindpt) January 20, 2023

Why in the hell would the lions take a tight end in the top ten when they just traded the last one they took in the top ten

— JaRell Respress (@KingRell84) January 20, 2023

Tell me you are trolling Lions fans without telling me you're trolling Lions fans.

— GetGoodDad (@AlwaysLearn247) January 19, 2023